Cholesterol 101
Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is present in the bloodstream. It plays a vital role in producing healthy cells, essential hormones and vitamins. When the amount of LDL cholesterol in your blood is high, you may experience plaque in the walls of your arteries. Accumulation of plaques in your arteries is called atherosclerosis [4]. People with atherosclerosis will experience plaque formation in the walls of their arteries, and this plaque may later enter the artery. This can lead to the constriction of the arteries and the reduction of blood flow to vital organs. The formation of plaques in the walls of the main artery in the heart (coronary artery) can lead to chest pain, also known as angina [5]. A blood clot develops around the plaque when it enters the coronary artery [6].
Cholesterol is not always a bad thing, contrary to people’s opinion. Your body makes two significant types of cholesterol. They include:
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- LDL (low-density lipoprotein) Cholesterol: LDL is unhealthy cholesterol. Accumulating LDL can lead to plaques in your blood vessels and make you more susceptible to various cardiovascular conditions.
- HDL (high-density lipoprotein) Cholesterol: HDL is the healthy cholesterol. An adequate amount of this cholesterol in the body reduces the risk of stroke or heart attack. HDL is vital in sending cholesterol from the arteries to the liver.